Ginny Grayson
(Australia, New Zealand 27 May 1967– )
- Title
- No conclusions drawn – self portrait
- Place of origin
-
Melbourne →
Victoria →
Australia
- Year
- (2008)
- Media category
- Drawing
- Materials used
- charcoal, pencil, watercolour, gesso, collaged paper corrections on Lana paper; ink jet photographic prints
- Dimensions
-
diptych: 110.0 x 141.4 x 4.1cm overall:
a - Panel 1; 105 x 127.5cm; Sheet dimensions
a - Panel 1; 110 x 132.5 x 4.1cm; Frame dimensions
b - Panel 2; 105 x 10cm; Sheet dimensions
b - Panel 2; 110 x 6.4 x 4.1cm; Frame dimensions
NOTE: Artist recommends a gap of 7-8cm between Panel 1 and Panel 2. The overall dimensions have included a gap of 7.5cm.
- Signature & date
- Signed l.r. corner, pencil "V.Grayson". Not dated.
- Credit
- Gift of the Trustees of the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation 2008
- Accession number
- 383.2008.a-b
- Copyright
- © Ginny Grayson
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
Inspired by her large new studio, Ginny Grayson began this work as a study of the urban landscape outside her window, at over twice the scale. Following a difficult family visit to New Zealand, she transformed the image. The drawing
now became a more personal investigation of identity and acceptance, and she reduced the landscape outside the studio, beyond recognition. Although 'No conclusions drawn – self portrait' is ostensibly an observational drawing, it is not the subject itself that is of greatest interest to Grayson, but the complexities of structural form and the perceptual ambiguities that she experiences.Preferring to work at a very abstract level – from the inner axis outwards – the artist explains that she slowly feels her way through the forms, comparing her approach to a surgical process. She says this reflects the difficulty of pinning down reality or identity, and states that she often finds the ghostly residue or erasure preferable to the actual drawing. Grayson’s method involves numerous corrections using eraser and gesso, and by adding paper to areas worn thin by overworking. The worn and fragile surface of No conclusions drawn – self portrait attests to the difficulties generated by her investigative process. The right panel of the diptych contains photographs showing earlier stages, lost as an inevitable part of her method, while date stamps on the drawing are intended as an ironic comment on the absurdity of trying to draw what one perceives.
- Bibliography (17)
-
Hendrik Kolenberg (Netherlands; Australia) (Author), Anne Ryan (Australia) (Author), Helen Campbell (Australia) (Author), Contemporary Australian Drawing: 20 years of the Dobell Prize for Drawing, Sydney, 2012, 8, 50, 51 (illus.), 61.
Janet McKenzie (Australia) (Author), Contemporary Australian drawing #1, South Yarra, 2012, 88, 89 (illus.).
Look Nov 2010, Nov 2010, 49 (illus.). Society events
'Virginia Grayson wins 2008 Dobell Prize for Drawing'., artdaily.org 19 Oct 2012, 19 Oct 2012, (illus.). viewed 20.10.2008, <http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=25968>
'Walk the line' by Christopher Allen, pg. 18-19., The Weekend Australian 20 Sep 2008-21 Sep 2008, 20 Sep 2008-21 Sep 2008, 18 (colour illus.). Review of Dobell Prize for Drawing. Virginia Grayson is pictured standing beside the work.
'What's on: Sydney', pg. 7., The Australian financial review 12 Sep 2008-14 Sep 2008, 12 Sep 2008-14 Sep 2008, 7 (illus., detail). Virginia Grayson pictured standing in front of artwork.
'Exhibitions'., The Sydney Morning Herald (metro) 12 Sep 2008-14 Sep 2008, 12 Sep 2008-14 Sep 2008, (illus., detail). page number unknown
'Drawn to extend boundaries' by Elizabeth Fortescue, pg. 36., Daily Telegraph 08 Sep 2008, 08 Sep 2008, 36 (colour illus.). Review of Dobell Prize for Drawing. Virginia Grayson is pictured standing beside the work.
'Art escapes to bin to win prize' by Corrie Perkin, pg. 3., The Australian 05 Sep 2008, 05 Sep 2008, 3 (illus.). Review of Dobell Prize for Drawing. Virginia Grayson is pictured standing beside the work.
'Erasing grace: catch winner while you can' by Louise Schwartzkoff, pg. 11., The Sydney Morning Herald 05 Sep 2008, 05 Sep 2008, 11 (colour illus.). Review of Dobell Prize for Drawing. Virginia Grayson is pictured standing beside the work.
'Drawn to self doubt' by Elizabeth Fortescue, pg. 25., Daily Telegraph 05 Sep 2008, 05 Sep 2008, 25 (colour illus.). Review of Dobell Prize for Drawing. Virginia Grayson is pictured standing beside the work.
'No conclusion but a happy ending for Dobell winner' by Louise Schwartzoff, pg. 10., Age 05 Sep 2008, 05 Sep 2008, 10 (illus.). Review of Dobell Prize for Drawing. Virginia Grayson is pictured standing beside the work.
'Dobell Prize quest draws to successful conclusion' by Kim Christian, pg. 9., The Canberra Times 05 Sep 2008, 05 Sep 2008, 9 (illus.). Review of Dobell Prize for Drawing. Virginia Grayson is pictured standing beside the work.
'Portrait a winner', pg. 2., The Border mail. 05 Sep 2008, 05 Sep 2008, 2 (illus.). Review of Dobell Prize for Drawing. Virginia Grayson is pictured standing beside the work.
'Rookie's Dobell', pg. 9., Illawarra mercury 05 Sep 2008, 05 Sep 2008, 9. Dobell Prize for Drawing.
'Life-drawing big winner', pg. 10., Wagga Wagga Daily Advertiser 05 Sep 2008, 05 Sep 2008, 10 (illus., detail). Review of Dobell Prize for Drawing. Virginia Grayson is pictured standing beside the work.
'Dobell Prize for Drawing', the (sydney) magazine Sep 2008, Sep 2008, unknown.
- Exhibition history (2)
-
Dobell Prize for Drawing 2008, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 05 Sep 2008–09 Nov 2008.
Contemporary Australian Drawing: 20 Years of the Dobell Drawing Prize, Grafton Regional Gallery, 15 Feb 2013–24 Mar 2013.
